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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Breastfeeding Snacking Guide

I'm not sure about you other breastfeeding mamas, but I feel like I am a never ending pit of hunger. One thing I know for sure, is that my 16lb 3 month old is definitely not going hungry. I am so grateful that my body is able to produce milk to nourish my son. Often though, with all of the cluster feeding and diaper changes, I forget to nourish myself. Staying hydrated and well fed is important because it takes a lot for our bodies to produce this liquid gold. Being in my constant state of hunger and juggling everything else, usually leaves me grabbing for quick empty calories and that, my friends, means that my son isn't getting the best quality of milk from my body.

I've put together 5 quick and delicious snacks that are great to keep on hand! These snacks are healthy, filling, and can be either prepared in advance or quickly prepared on the fly.

1. Smoothie Bowl

I am obsessed with smoothie bowls. I typically eat one everyday as a snack or even for lunch because it's literally that filling. The greatest thing about making a smoothie bowl is that it is so versatile. Make your favorite smoothie with a little less liquid so it has a thicker consistency, add a few of your favorite toppings like nuts, seeds, granola, fruit, etc., and try not to lick the bowl clean because it's

T H A T good!

Ingredients

1 Banana

2 Cups Mixed Frozen Fruit

1 1/2 Cups Water

Toppings

1 Banana, Sliced

3 Tbs Super Seeds and Ancient Grains (Trader Joes)

3 Tbs Granola

Handful of Pomegranate Seeds

2. Homemade Popcorn

I am a sucker for popcorn, but a lot of times I dive straight in for the soaked in butter brands. As a healthier alternative, and a cheaper one, I buy a bag of kernels and make my own popcorn. It takes just as much time and I don't feel as gross after eating a huge bowl full.

Ingredients

2 Tbs Olive Oil

1/2 Cup Kernels

Sea Salt

Put oil into a pot and set the burner to medium-high. Drop in three kernels and once they pop you will know the rest are ready to be added.

Pour in the rest of the kernels, cover the pot with a lid, shake it a few times, and let it do it's popping magic.

3. Homemade Muffins

One thing I have been doing weekly is making homemade muffins and putting them in the freezer. When I'm ready to eat one, I take it out of the freezer, pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds, and enjoy a yummy treat. I will be the first to admit that I am a carb and bread-o-holic. I need some form of bread on hand. These Coffee Cake Muffins (I make muffins out of this recipe and I don't use the glaze) are super easy to make and it's easy to substitute healthier ingredients into the batch.

4. Apples with Vanilla Yogurt and Cinnamon

I saw this yummy combo on Pinterest once and ever since I eat it regularly. It almost feels like I'm splurging on dessert when I eat it. The crunch of the apples, the sweet vanilla yogurt, and the spicy cinnamon on top is a perfect combo to curb my sweet tooth.

5. Homemade Onion Dip with Carrots

Dips are delicious! Especially dips that are creamy and packed full of spices! Buying dips from the store can be expensive and also filled with a ton of unnecessary calories. Making your own is super easy and you more than likely have most or even all of the ingredients on hand. I use plain greek yogurt as a base for all of my dips, but sour cream works as well.

Ingredients

1 Cup Greek Yogurt

1 Tsp Garlic Salt (Trader Joes)

1 Tsp Onion Flakes

1 Tsp Onion Powder

Garnish with Cilantro

I hope that you give these recipes a try next time you find yourself in a fit of breastfeeding hunger. Let me know what some of your favorite snacks are in the comments below!